He asked me to lay with him at bedtime. Our oldest boy who comes just below my chin and appears as if he’s been pulled by a taffy machine the eve before. We laid on our backs, he grabbed my right hand, draped it across his chest, rubbed the back of my palm, and in that moment, I saw him …
Welcome to the Wonder Home
Road tripping across the US is no joke. People warned us. But here’s what literally kept us sane while simultaneously enjoying one another in the car for way too many hours at a time: We downloaded the audible book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio. And it was freakin’ magical. Something about listening to the story unfold while we drove through the deserts …
Declaring ‘Kid’s Day’
“Wrap it tight. Like a burrito.” I pushed blankets under his sides with the force of straight fingers until only his nose and eyes peeked under cacoon-like sheets. “There. A Ty burrito ready to be gobbled up.” And then the stinker wriggled his hands free and pulled me next to him, playing with the charms on my white bracelet, spinning …
How To Connect Longing with Reality
When I was younger I couldn’t wait to grow up. In high school I dreamed of life-long friends I’d make in college. In college I dreamed of the future husband I’d hopefully meet. Once married, I dreamed of the whimsy life we’d have together, the white picket fence, a joyful vocation of ministry. Decorating our first apartment I dreamed of the first home …
When God Chuckles
“I’M.NOT.TIRED.” He’s bawling, of course. Laying on the bottom bunk. Over-tired. He pulls his shirt up and as he scoots in reverse, he gets all demandy. “Mom, sing Jesus Loves Me and scratch my back.” The same ritual we do every.single.night. It’s summer. What can I say? Sleep is over-rated. Until it’s not. I’m next to him, fingers grazing soft skin while afternoon sun …
A bunny, a neighbor, and a shift in Perspective
In almost 12 years of marriage, we’ve moved 6 times. We are no strangers to jumping in and embracing community, starting right where we are planted, and with who surrounds – our neighbors. At times, I’ve had grand notions of connecting with people over there or what about them? Only to look next door and across the street and decide, Why not here? Now? Sometimes neighborhood …
Practicing Thankfulness in the Waiting
It seems we’re all waiting. Waiting to grow up. Waiting to hear about college applications. Waiting to move out. Some, waiting to fall in love. Others, waiting to fall back in love, feeling estranged to the spouse they share a bed with. Some are waiting for any love at all. Some are waiting, dancing back and forth on tiptoes to …
Dear Children, I WILL Embarrass You
Approaching the metal, diamond-shaped gate in front of his T-K class, Ty spies me and jumps to his feet. Quick smooch, snack hand-off, then skip, Ty’s ahead to the far gate where his big brother is dismissed at the same time. And then it happened. He suddenly took notice of the taupe overalls I was wearing, and, as if he …
I Wonder
Do you see me? I am the giggly child on the swing requesting “one more push.” I am the young professional exerting passion and discovering my identity. I am the single parent, exhausted in grand and hard ways. I am the one holding a Homeless- Please Help sign. I wonder, do you see me? ————————————– Do you hear me? I am …
Being Available
There are a lot of BEING’s I can work on.
BEING patient.
BEING thick-skinned.
BEING prepared with meals-and-birthday-cards-and-calling-people-more.
But lately, I’m drawn to Jesus’ example of BEING available.
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